Trystan Casey
High tensile electric fencing is a cost-effective way to keep your animals safe and secure. It is strong, flexible, and easy to work with. In this article, we will provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to build a high tensile electric fence, along with some tips and tricks for a secure and long-lasting installation. We will discuss the materials you will need, the installation process, and how to maintain your fence to ensure it lasts for years to come.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Keeping animals in, keeping predators out, and providing extra predator control |
| Benefits | Cost-effective, strong, flexible, reliable, easy to work with, maintenance-free, and long-lasting |
| Materials | High-tensile wire, brace pins, fencing staples, treated wood, boards, fencing pliers, gripple tools, gripples, line posts, corner posts, gates, polywire, joint clamps, insulator tubes, U-clips, barbed wire, steeples, power sources |
| Installation Steps | Dig holes for corner posts, set corner posts, build braces, attach guide wires, install tensioner, attach wire to line posts, tighten bottom wire, install gates, pound in line posts |
| Wire Type | Electric or non-electric; smooth or barbed; single-strand or multi-strand |
| Number of Strands | Depends on local laws, livestock temperament, and location; typically 3-7 strands |
| Post Type | Solid, well-braced, and made of fiberglass, steel, or wood |
| Post Spacing | Regular line posts spaced 8-12 feet apart; corner posts required for sharp turns |
| Post Depth | Driven at least 2 feet into the ground |
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What You'll Learn
Planning and materials
Firstly, decide on the number of wires you will use. This depends on local laws, the temperament of your livestock, and your location. For example, if you live in a remote area, three strands may suffice for a cattle fence, whereas five strands are recommended for more populated areas. If you want flexibility with livestock, seven strands are ideal.
Next, source your materials. The biggest expense is typically posts, and you can use various resources to acquire them. For corner posts, you can use wood, steel, or solid fiberglass. Solid fiberglass line posts are also recommended. You will also need a high-quality pair of insulated fencing pliers, a gripple tool and gripples for joining fences, and a hot fence charger.
If you plan to use barbed wire, ensure it is suitable for your needs. For example, single-strand electric barbed wire can work well for temporary cross fences, but wild hogs may run through it. If you have children, consider the safety implications of barbed wire. High tensile net wire is another option that provides a good balance between effectiveness and safety.
Before you begin construction, ensure you have a clear plan for your fence's path. Mark out the corners and any sharp turns, as these will require solid corner posts and bracing. If your pasture is square, for instance, you will need at least four corner posts to support the fence tension.
Finally, when installing posts, space them 8-12 feet apart and drive them at least 2 feet deep into the ground. If you are using wood posts, run insulator tubes along the wire to insulate each post.
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Digging holes
It is important to ensure that the holes are dug in the correct locations, aligning with the direction of the fence. The spacing between regular line posts should be between 8 and 12 feet, and additional support posts may be necessary for sharp turns in the fence. For instance, if your pasture is square, you will need at least four corner posts to maintain tension for a fence with four 90-degree turns.
When digging the holes, it is crucial to consider the type of soil and any potential obstacles. In some cases, the soil may be wet or soft, requiring the use of a board underneath the post to prevent it from sinking. This board can be detached from the post by cutting a wire if needed. Additionally, it is important to tamp the soil well as you backfill the hole, ensuring that the post is straight and plumb.
The process of digging holes and setting posts can be physically demanding and may require the use of tools such as a post pounder or power tools. It is recommended to have an extra set of hands to help with the process, especially when attaching braces to the corner posts.
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Setting corner posts
Digging the Holes
First, you need to dig holes for the corner posts. The depth of the holes is essential; they should be deep enough so that the posts will be securely anchored. Typically, posts are placed about three feet into the ground.
Placing the Posts
When placing the corner posts in the holes, consider using fencing staples. Angle them upward from the bottom of the post. This will help prevent the post from pulling out of the ground. If the ground is particularly soft or wet, place a board, preferably made of treated wood, underneath the post to provide additional support and prevent sinking.
Securing the Posts
To make it easier to pull the post out in the future, you can attach a wire to a fencing staple driven into the bottom of the board. This way, you can simply cut the wire to detach the board from the post. Ensure your post is straight and plumb, and tamp the soil well as you backfill the hole.
Building Braces
To provide additional support for your corner posts, build braces. Cut a notch about two-thirds up the post, ensuring it lines up with the direction the fence will go. Cut the angle for your brace post, marking it with a nail or pocket knife. Attach the brace to the corner post using a brace pin, such as a piece cut from a cattle panel, or Torx screws. Place a treated wood plate, ceramic paver, or similar underneath the end of the brace to prevent it from sinking into the ground. Cut a groove in the end of the brace for the brace cable.
Stretching the Fence
Once your corner posts are securely in place, you can begin stretching your fence. High-tensile fencing is generally stretched tightly, so a solid corner post setup is vital to supporting the fence tension, especially for 90-degree turns. Rather than stretching the fence all around your pasture, it's best to do it in individual sections, from corner to corner.
Remember to follow local regulations and guidelines when building your high-tensile electric fence, and always prioritize your safety.
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Attaching wire
Attaching the wire is a crucial step in building a high-tensile electric fence. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:
First, ensure you have the right materials on hand. For attaching wire, you will need a high-quality set of insulated fencing pliers, a gripple tool and gripples, and U-clips or high-tensile wire for attaching the wire to the posts.
Next, prepare the wire. Before attaching the wire to the posts, ensure it is pulled taut and straight. Use a wire dispenser (spinning jenny) to pull out the wire, or an ATV or other farm vehicle. Walk the line and snap the wire up and down to ensure it is straight, especially over dips and ridges. You may also want to mark your wire spacings on the end posts and drive steeples in partially to hold the wire in place.
Now, you are ready to attach the wire to the posts. Stand straddling the wire and use a post pounder to pound in the line posts. Then, attach the wire to the line posts using pre-made U-clips, or by wrapping high-tensile wire around the posts.
Finally, tighten the wire. Ensure the wire is running straight and use a tensioner to tighten it up. This will help ensure that your fence is secure and effective.
Attaching the wire is a straightforward process, but it is important to take your time and ensure that the wire is straight, taut, and securely attached to the posts.
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Installing gates
First, decide on the location of your gate. It's essential to choose a suitable spot that provides easy access and aligns with the overall layout of your fence. Once you've determined the location, carefully measure the space to ensure an accurate installation.
Next, gather the required materials for constructing the gate. You will need a sturdy gate post, which can be made from materials such as wood, steel, or fiberglass. The gate post should be durable and capable of withstanding external forces without compromising the integrity of the fence. Ensure that the post is long enough to be securely anchored into the ground and tall enough to provide adequate support for the gate.
After acquiring the necessary materials, begin by digging a hole for the gate post. The hole should be deep enough to provide a stable foundation, typically around two to three feet deep, depending on the length of your post. Before placing the post into the hole, consider adding fencing staples at the bottom, angled upward, to prevent the post from pulling out of the ground. Additionally, if the ground is wet or soft, you can place a treated wooden board underneath the post to provide extra support and prevent sinking.
Once the gate post is securely in place, you can attach the gate itself. Use a combination of high-tensile wire and joint clamps to securely connect the gate to the post. Ensure that the wire is tightly fastened to provide a reliable connection. Additionally, you can use an insulator tube to guide the wire around the post, fixing it at the desired height with a fencing staple.
Finally, test the gate to ensure smooth operation and stability. Check that the gate opens and closes without obstruction and that it aligns properly with the gate post. Make any necessary adjustments to ensure a seamless and secure functioning gate.
By following these steps, you can effectively install a gate in your high-tensile electric fence, providing easy access while maintaining the security and integrity of the enclosure.
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Frequently asked questions
First, dig holes for the corner posts, ensuring they are deep enough. Then, set the corner posts, using fencing staples to prevent them from pulling out of the ground. Next, build braces by cutting a notch in the post about two-thirds up and attaching a brace to the corner post using a brace pin. After that, install the line posts, ensuring they are straight and plumb, and tighten the bottom wire. Finally, attach the wire to the line posts, and walk the line to ensure it is perfectly straight.
You will need a high-quality set of corner posts, which can be made from steel, wood, or solid fiberglass. You will also need line posts, with solid fiberglass posts being the recommended option. Other materials include high-tensile wire, a wire dispenser or spinning jenny, guide wires, a tensioner, fencing staples, brace pins, and insulated fencing pliers.
The number of wires you need depends on local laws, the temperament of your livestock, and your location. If you live in a remote area, three strands may be sufficient for a perimeter fence with cattle. In more populated areas, five strands are recommended. For unlimited flexibility in the livestock you can contain, using seven strands is ideal.
